Harrow

Harrow's population expanded in the 10 years leading up to the latest census. Data from the census also show there were changes in ethnicity, religion and housing tenure.

The population reached nearly 240,000

In the decade to 2011, the population of Harrow increased by 16%, from almost 207,000 to 239,000.

The addition of about 32,000 people means this area's population increased faster than the rate of growth across England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, Harrow was home to, on average, 34 people per football pitch-sized piece of land.

Population density was lower than the average across London

Population density (usual residents per football pitch-sized piece of land) across London, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

An older Harrow

Census 2011 data also show a change in the local population's average age.

Between the last two censuses, the median age of Harrow remained 36 years.

This urban area had a higher average age than London and remained somewhat younger than the average local authority area across England (39 years of age).

The fall in age was because of an increase of just under 6,700 people between the ages of 20 and 29 years.

About 15% of people in Harrow are aged between 20 and 29 years

Percentage of usual residents in England, London and Harrow by 10 year age band, March 2001 and March 2011

Ethnicity in Harrow

The number of people in Harrow from the Asian or Asian British ethnic groups increased from about 64,000 in 2001 to about 100,000 in 2011. This represents a change from 31% to 43% of the local population.

The percentage increased by more than the average across London (from 13% to 18%) and the average across England (from 5.2% to 8.0%).

The number of people in Harrow from the White ethnic groups decreased from just over 120,000 in 2001 to just over 100,000 in 2011 (from 59% to 42%). The number of residents from the Black, Black British, Caribbean or African ethnic groups increased from about 13,000 to about 20,000 (from 6.1% to 8.2%).

About 9,500 people (2.8%) said they were from Mixed/multiple ethnic groups (White and Asian, White and Black African, White and Black Caribbean or Other Mixed), up from just over 5,800 in 2001 (4.0%).

There are many factors that can cause changes to the ethnic profile of an area, such as migration and varying fertility rates between ethnic groups. Changes may also be caused by differences in the way individuals choose to self-identify between censuses.

The population from the Asian or Asian British ethnic groups in Harrow increased by 12 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in England, London and Harrow by ethnicity, March 2001 and March 2011

Religion in Harrow

The number of people in Harrow that described themselves as Hindu increased from just under 41,000 in 2001 to about 60,000 in 2011. This represents a change from 20% to 25% of the local population.

The percentage increased by more than the average across London (from 4.1% to 5.0%) and the average across England (from 1.2% to 1.6%).

The number of people in Harrow that described themselves as Christian decreased from about 98,000 in 2001 to about 89,000 in 2011 (from 47% to 37%). The number of people who described themselves as Muslim increased from about 15,000 to about 30,000 (from 7.2% to 13%).

About 23,000 people (9.0%) said they had no religion, up from about 19,000 in 2001 (9.6%).

There are many factors that can cause changes to the religious profile of an area, such as migration and varying fertility rates between religious groups. Changes may also be caused by differences in the way individuals choose to self-identify between censuses.

The population who identified as Hindu in Harrow increased by 5.7 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in England, London and Harrow by religion, March 2001 and March 2011

More homes with adult children living with their parents

Harrow saw England's second-largest rise in the proportion of households with adult children living with their parents.

During this period, Harrow overtook 10 local authority areas, including Dudley and Havering, to become the English local authority area with the second-highest percentage of households with only adult children living with their parents.

In 2011, just under one in seven (14%) households in Harrow had only adult children living with their parents, compared with 12% in 2001. The percentage with at least one child increased from 33% to 36%.

The largest increase occurred in Oadby and Wigston (from 9.9% to 13%).

The proportion of households with only adult children living with their parents was higher than across London

Percentage of households where a parent lived with their adult children across local authority areas in London and the average across England, March 2011

Changing household dynamics

Harrow saw England's third-largest fall in the proportion of households with an unmarried couple.

In 2011, just under 1 in 20 (4.7%) households in Harrow had an unmarried couple, compared with 5.4% in 2001. The percentage with just one person decreased from 26% to 23%.

The largest decrease occurred in Slough (from 11% to 7.5%) followed by Ealing (from 7.9% to 6.9%).

The percentage of households with a cohabiting couple was lower than across London

Percentage of households that had an unmarried couple across local authority areas in London and the average across England, March 2011

↑ Back to the top

Area report data

Related links